Things to Do in Pisa

The medieval stone walls that ring the old town. You can walk along some sections for free, with views over the rooftops and the Leaning Tower in the distance. A quiet alternative to the crowded tourist routes.

🕐 Accessible 24 hours (illuminated at night)

💡 The best free section starts near Porta Nuova and runs behind Piazza dei Miracoli. It's shaded in the afternoon and gives a good perspective of the tower.

A Romanesque cathedral with striking bronze doors and a pulpit by Giovanni Pisano. Free entry for the main nave, but requires a ticket for the domed roof.

🕐 Mon-Sat 10:00-17:30, Sun 13:00-17:30

💡 Free entry only with a same-day ticket from the ticket office. Get one early; they're limited and often run out by late morning.

The historic Knights' Square, once the centre of Pisa's maritime republic power. The Palazzo della Carovana and the clock tower are the main features.

🕐 Always open (public square)

💡 Look for the bas-reliefs on the Palazzo della Carovana facade—they depict zodiac signs and classical figures. Best in late afternoon light.

Medieval and Renaissance art housed in a former monastery. Free entry for EU citizens under 18 or over 65; otherwise €5. Contains works by Pisano and Masaccio.

🕐 Tue–Sat 9:00–19:00, Sun 9:00–13:00, closed Mon

💡 First Sunday of the month is free for everyone. Go early – it’s small but well-curated.

A refined square dominated by the Palazzo della Carovana, once the headquarters of the Knights of St Stephen. The buildings are decorated with sgraffito and sculptures.

🕐 24/7

💡 The nearby Orto Botanico garden is a quiet spot for a picnic, and both are less crowded than the main tourist strip. Free to wander any time.

A historic cemetery from the 19th century with elaborate marble tombs, chapels and frescoes. Rarely visited by tourists. Free entry.

🕐 Tue–Sun 9:00–12:00 and 15:00–18:00, closed Mon

💡 The caretaker sometimes unlocks the central chapel if you ask nicely. Visit in late afternoon for good light on the carvings.

A peaceful walk along the river with views of historic palazzos and the Ponte di Mezzo bridge. Benches and cycle paths run both sides.

🕐 24/7

💡 Start at the Ponte della Fortezza and walk east – you'll see fewer tourists and more locals fishing or jogging.

A public park built inside a 15th-century fortress on the south bank of the Arno. It has lawns, mature trees, a playground, and views across the river. Popular with locals for picnics and afternoon sun.

🕐 Open daily 08:00–20:00 (until 21:00 in summer)

💡 Bring a blanket and some snacks. There's a small café inside, but it's overpriced. The fortress walls make a good backdrop for photos without the tourist crowds.

A quiet riverside park inside a 15th-century fortress. Good for a picnic, with views over the Arno and old walls. Popular with locals for jogging and relaxing.

🕐 Daily 07:00–20:00 (longer in summer)

💡 Enter through the gate on Lungarno Fibonacci. There’s a small café with cheap coffee inside during summer.

A large urban park along the Arno river, perfect for a stroll, kids' play area or a cheap picnic. Also hosts open-air film screenings in summer.

🕐 07:00-21:00 daily (shorter in winter)

💡 Walk to the far end of the garden for a decent view of the river and less noise. Bring your own food—there's no cafe inside.

A fortress-turned-public park on the south bank of the Arno, with shady trees, a playground, and river views.

🕐 Dawn to dusk

💡 Check the city events calendar: there are free concerts and film screenings here in summer. Bring a picnic.

The famous grassy square that holds the Leaning Tower, the Cathedral, and the Baptistery. Entry to the square itself is free, and you can wander and take photos of the tower from outside.

🕐 Open 24 hours

💡 Go at sunrise or late evening to avoid crowds and get a clear shot of the tower. The square is quietest around 7am.

The sprawling square containing the Leaning Tower, cathedral, baptistery and cemetery. Free to wander the grounds and take photos from the outside.

🕐 24/7 (grounds only)

💡 Go just before sunset to avoid crowds and get softer light for photos. The lawns close at dusk.

The monumental square housing Pisa's main sights. You can walk around the Leaning Tower, cathedral and baptistery without paying, though entry to each building costs.

🕐 24/7

💡 Arrive before 9am for near-empty views of the Leaning Tower, especially in summer. The lawn is free to sit on.

The Cathedral Square, home to the Leaning Tower, Baptistery, and Cathedral. The lawns and exterior views are free to enjoy.

🕐 Always open

💡 Go at sunrise or late evening for fewer crowds and better light; you don't need to pay to see the tower from outside.

The Field of Miracles is the monumental square that holds the Leaning Tower, the Cathedral, the Baptistery and the Camposanto. Walking around it costs nothing, and it’s where most visitors spend their time.

🕐 Always open (public square)

💡 Go at sunrise or just before sunset to avoid crowds and see the marble glow in warm light. The lawns are free to sit on.

Houses the sinopie (under-drawings) recovered from the Camposanto cemetery after WWII bombing. Free on the first Sunday of each month.

🕐 Mon-Sat 09:30-17:30, Sun 09:30-18:30 (first Sunday free)

💡 On first Sundays, arrive right when it opens at 9:30am to avoid queues. Otherwise, skip it—standard tickets cost €5.

A tiny Gothic church on the Arno's north bank, encrusted with marble pinnacles and rose windows. Originally built to house a thorn from Christ's crown. It's free to enter and often overlooked by tourists.

🕐 May–September: Tuesday–Sunday 10:00–18:00; October–April: 10:00–17:00; closed Monday

💡 It's small—just one room—so you'll spend 10 minutes inside. The real beauty is the exterior, best seen from the Ponte Solferino bridge at golden hour. Check opening times online; it sometimes closes for weddings.

A linear walk along the Arno riverbank, crossing the historic Ponte di Mezzo. Great views of palazzos and the Lungarni.

🕐 Always open

💡 Walk from Ponte di Mezzo towards the Citadella for a quieter stretch. Best at golden hour for photos of the river reflections.

An art museum housed in a former monastery along the Arno. It holds Tuscan paintings and sculptures from the 13th to 17th centuries, including works by Simone Martini and Donatello. Entry is €5, but free on the first Sunday of each month.

🕐 Tuesday–Saturday 09:00–17:30, Sunday 09:00–13:00, closed Monday

💡 Check the cathedral museum combo ticket if you plan to see the Duomo—it often includes this for a small top-up. The museum is small; you can see it in under an hour.